Watercolor Dirtbag
PY139 is a single-pigment yellow-orange option, similar to Isoindolinone Yellow Deep (PY110) or Hansa Yellow Deep (PY65). (Those are the comparisons along the bottom, along with Benzimida Orange.) It is nontoxic, moderately lightfast, and available from three manufacturers that I could find: MaimeriBlu’s Gamboge Hue (above), Daniel Smith’s Isoindoline Yellow, and Roman Szmal’s Permanent Yellow.
Lately I’ve been painting a lot more from my own photos, especially flawed or odd photos. Winter Sun What I I love about the original photo: that super bright blue and yellow in the distant sky! The contrast between vivid and dull. What I don’t like about original photo: The bright sky is much too … Read more
I started November with a trip to Vancouver and a bunch of small travel sketches. Upon returning home, I hustled to finish my U.S. National Parks project. On another quick trip over the border to Toronto, I added a few more travel sketches. I also started #magrish_challenge_sky for my second year. I rounded out the … Read more
I’ve only ever seen the pigment PY93 in this one brand: Sennelier’s Yellow Sophie. It’s a bold, middle yellow suitable for use as a primary yellow. Because this is a Sennelier color with a luxurious honey binder, it’s boldly pigmented and easy to rewet.
Previously, I’ve asked What’s the difference between MANS and Yellow Ochre? Today, I’m adding a couple more earth yellows for a big showdown between Da Vinci Yellow Ochre, Da Vinci Raw Sienna Deep, Daniel Smith Monte Amiata Natural Sienna (MANS), and Da Vinci Raw Sienna. Which of these belongs in the earth yellow slot in my palette?
I did this a color comparison of ACQ vs PR264 back in November 2022, but at that time, my PR264 was DS Pyrrol Crimson, which I did not really like. How do they match up if I use a PR264 I like better: Holbein’s Pyrrole Rubin? Both read a crimson (dark red) to me. The … Read more
Azo yellow, short for benzimidazolone yellow, is a super bright yellow that mixes clean, bold oranges and greens.
In 2023, I challenged myself to paint at least one scene from each of the 63 US National Parks. I started in February, with a mini gouache of Big Bend as a sort of proof of concept, then began working my way down an alphabetical list. I finally finished with Zion in late November. You can find them all on my National Park Collection page (I’ve also included several in this post!)
This was a great opportunity to learn – not only about technique and about the parks themselves, but about my own preferences as an artist. Here’s what I discovered.
Most watercolor brands offer a PB60 paint, often called Indanthrone or Indathrene Blue. As far as I know, there is no official distinction between the words Indanthrone (with an “o”) and Indanthrene (with an “e”) – I think they are synonyms. But I own two PB60 paints, one called Indanthrone and one called Indanthrene, and … Read more
Benzimida orange – called Winsor Orange in the Winsor & Newton line, Permanent Orange for Daniel Smith, Chrome Orange by Schmincke – is a light, bright, orangey orange.